nicolethenole

Hello all,
I will be traveling this coming June to Europe with two of my friends after our college graduation. We will be going to Rome, Florence, Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Barcelona. I've been doing a lot of research but I wanted to hear from people that have had good experiences at hostels in these cities. I'm concerned with the location of the hostels, safety, and comfort. Thanks for your help!

sparkchaser

Well, the Fodor's demographic is more likely to stay in an apartment or a hotel.

The Lonely Plant Thorn Tree and 4chan /trv/ both have a high percentage of hostel goers. I suggest asking there for more answers.

kybourbon

I don't think there are many people that stay in hostels on this board although quite a few stay in convents/monasteries in Italy. The Thorn Tree forum is more the hostel type. Also check out Reids Guides and Let's Go. Eurocheapo has budget places listed along with reviews so you might check them too. I think they include hostels.

http://www.eurocheapo.com/

Many convents (not all) have curfews ranging from 10pm to 1am. Some have no curfew. I've stayed at Santa Sofia in Rome which is easy walking to the Forum/Colosseum. It's also 2 minute walk to the metro line B and one stop (Cavour) from Rome's main train station Termini. I think Santa Sofia has eliminated their curfew, but may change the entry code daily. The piazza in front is lively at night with younger people (ask for a room not on the piazza). The small electric bus 117, runs by this convent and goes to the Spanish Steps, Colosseum and a few other places in the historic center.

http://www.casasantasofia.it/index.php/en/

Line B
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=4

Bus 117
http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9

Another option in Rome is a women's only hostel within a short walking distance to Piazza Navona. They also have a link on their website for something similar in Florence.

http://www.foresteriaorsa.altervista...esteria_uk.htm

In Barcelona, you might check MadridMan for reviews. They seem to distinguish youth hostels (with an e) from hostals (small, budget pensione/B&B's) by spelling on the website. You might turn up some reviews on Fodor's for Hostal Girona and Hostal Opera if you do a search. Both are very central.

http://www.barcelonaman.com/barcelon...a-hostels.html

http://www.operaramblas.com/presentacion_i.html

http://www.hostalgirona.com/index.php

adrienne

On your other thread I did say that if you want backpacking advice then you should be on the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum where the backpackers congregate. Fodor's is not a backpacking/hosteling crowd.

I also mentioned about the Let's Go guide books. Very informative about hostels and inexpensive hotels.

We give our time to help people and it's great when people read the advice; frustrating when they do not.

PalenQ

Yes Let's Go Europe is great - especially as adrienne says about hostels and cheap hotels - gives a rundown of zillions of hostels with criticism or praise, etc. amazon.com sells them.

flpab

http://www.hostelworld.com is the best source and know many that have used it with great success. Safe and cheap places to stay. Many have a room to keep valuables and there are private and semi private rooms.

nicolethenole

adrienne, thank you for your advise. I did read your comments; however, no where on this website does it say that this site is strictly for non-backpackers. I have read plenty of posts that people write about hostels. If you don't have advice to give on the hostels subject, you are not obligated to comment in every thread. I like to get advice from people in forums of places where they stayed at and not just read reviews on sites. Thanks for your input.

Thanks everyone else for your advice!

janisj

>>If you don't have advice to give on the hostels subject, you are not obligated to comment in every thread. . . . .

Thanks everyone <i>else</i> for your advice!<<

my goodness(!)

Yes, a few Fodorites do stay in hostels . . . They may be reluctant to help you though - in case their advice isn't to your liking . . .

kybourbon

Adrienne is correct that most people on this website do not stay in hostels or backpack. I would think there are only a handful on this site that would even consider it so you won't get much first hand advice about it here. Your best bet is Lonely Planet's Thorntree where the majority of people are that type of traveler. Thorntree is not just reviews, it's a forum just like this one except mostly budget travelers/backpackers. Thorntree is your best advice and several people have pointed it out.

suze

While there is no blanket disclaimer about the age of people posting on Fodor's, it's not a backpacking crowd, trust me.

That's why you aren't getting answers from people with current personal experience like you were hoping for.

ashwinb

I stayed at the Wombats hostel at the Naschmarket, it was one of the best hostel I've stayed till now, very well located, good facilities, elevator(no lifting luggage), good staff, the Naschmarket is right there, so good eating options.
If you're going to Salzburg, there's only 1 hostel out there,Yoho International, which is pretty good.

colduphere

We often stay in hostels but not in the last five years in your cities. If you are willing to change your itinerary I can help.